Proposal for LIDO Festival and All Points East Festival

Proposed use of Victoria Park for commercial/festival events including music festivals to include installation of supporting associated infrastructure, access, and other ancillary works for a temporary period of six years.

To our Neighbours and the Victoria Park Community,

Since 2018, AEG Presents has had the privilege of being the official operator for major events in Victoria Park. Over the past eight years, we have worked closely with the London Borough of Tower Hamlets and local residents to establish All Points East Festival and more recently LIDO Festival as highlights of the Capital’s cultural calendar.

As we look toward the 2026 season, we are submitting a planning application to continue hosting these world class events which will require access to, and use of the park during a total period of 75 days each year, which includes the period required to construct and deconstruct the site. The major event days and community days will still align with the prevailing licence during this overall period, currently that is 11 major event days for both festivals and 8 community days. The footprint and location of the two festivals remain the same as in recent years, plans showing the site and location can be viewed in the document library.

We remain committed to ensuring that our residency in the park provides significant benefits to the local community while minimising the impact on your daily lives.

Before the formal planning application is submitted, we would like to consult with the local community and hear your views on this proposal.

Overview of the Proposal

A planning application is required due to the planned setting up time for both festivals exceeding the temporary events permitted development rights currently available. 

We intend to apply for a temporary permission of 6 years to enable investment and benefits planned for the site and make the proposed events more sustainable.

Our application to the London Borough of Tower Hamlets includes the following key details:

• All Points East: with a maximum daily attendance of 50,000 people (www.allpointseastfestival.com)

• LIDO Festival: with a maximum daily attendance of 35,000 people (www.lidofestival.co.uk)

• In the Neighbourhood: Mid-week, free-to-access, community-focused programming, including theatre, music, outdoor cinema, local sports activations, and platforms for local artists.

• Community Benefits: Local Community Free Ticket Ballot, Ticket Offers, free to access community events called In the Neighbourhood.

• Economic Benefit: Award-winning music festivals, bringing global talent and significant economic investment to the borough and East London.

• Operating Hours: Concert Event Days typically span a 3 day weekend Friday - Sunday, though Thursday and Mondays may be utilised.

Everyone is warmly invited to an informal consultation exhibition providing more detail and an opportunity to discuss the proposals with the event team and planning team on 19th February between 2pm-8pm at The Ecological Pavilion, Mile End Park.

The Planning Application

AEG Presents  are proposing to submit a formal planning application for the following temporary use:

Use of Victoria Park for commercial/festival events including music festivals to include installation of supporting associated infrastructure, access and other ancillary works for a temporary period of 6 years

The proposal includes the use of Victoria Park for a total period of 75 days each year, which includes the period required to construct and deconstruct the festival site.  The major events days and community days will still align with the prevailing licence during this overall period, currently that is 11 major event days for both festivals and 8 community days. The footprint and location of the two festivals remain the same as in recent years. LIDO is scheduled for June 2026, and All Points East will follow in August 2026.

Why does this need planning permission?

As set out in Schedule 2, Part 4, Class B of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015, temporary uses of land can take place without formal planning permission for a maximum of 28 days in any one year without planning permission.

LIDO and All Points East Festivals together with the associated ‘In the Neighbourhood’ events as planned for 2026, will require more than 28 days.  The development time includes all the construction of the festival temporary structures and their removal as well as the event times themselves.

This community consultation is part of a pre-application process which includes consultation with the London Borough of Tower Hamlets to ensure that the development team and AEG and its partners are aware of support/objection from the community and stakeholders and that any planning concerns raised can be reviewed and responded to.

How does the planning application relate to the licence for the festival events?

Over the past eight years AEG and their operating partner LS Events have worked closely with the London Borough of Tower Hamlets and residents to establish the two festivals and the associated programme of community events. AEG were granted a ‘licence to occupy’ in 2024, this applies to 2027 and currently allows for 11 days of major events and up to eight days of community events.

We are currently working closely with the Council Officers and our development consultancy team to put together the details for the application, including impact assessments and statements together with effective management plans based on our experience of operating festivals on this site. This work includes:

Noise

• Noise impact assessment of the event for impact on local receptors, for example, neighbouring homes.

• The assessment would include the construction phase as well as event days.

• Mitigation measures and monitoring including a noise management plan, complaint response procedure and onsite measuring.

Highways

• Assessing impact on the wider transport network including walking, cycling and public transport.

• Parking and access management of vehicles on site and in the local neighbourhood.

• Travel Plan.

• Blue badge parking provision and management.

Ecology

• A programme of environmental restoration and enhancement projects has already taken place over the past few years in partnership with the Tower Hamlets Parks Team, for the planning application further work will be undertaken to ensure the ecology of the site is protected and enhanced.

• A baseline ecology survey of the site.

• An Ecological Impact Assessment.

• Habitat Management and Monitoring Plan for the Biodiversity Net Gain enhancement proposal to ensure.   

Trees 

• A detailed tree survey, arboricultural impact assessments, arboricultural method statements and tree protection plans.

• Site supervision particularly during the setting up and taking down of the festivals.

Heritage

• Victoria Park is a Grade II listed park and garden, the Grade II​* Baroness Burdett Coutts Drinking Fountain is adjacent although not within the application site area. The whole park is also a Conservation Area.  The impact of the festivals will be temporary and minor upon the heritage asset but as in previous years of the festivals, care will be given to the protection of the landscape of the park and proven ground restoration measures will be used. 

• The planning application submission will include a heritage assessment. 

Flood Risk Assessment

• A flood risk assessment and drainage strategy report will be prepared including mitigation and resilience measures for any flood risk, safe access and egress from the site during an extreme storm event, SuDs (Sustainable Drainage System) and Surface water plan and foul drainage strategy.

Temporary Construction 

• Assessment and management of construction access, noise and operations at the start and end of the festivals.

Our Commitment to You

We are currently developing comprehensive management plans to address the issues that matter most to the community:

• Sound Management: We continue to uphold exemplary management practices regarding sound working with our specialist acoustic consultants to monitor sound levels in real-time and ensure we remain within council-approved limits.

• Environmental Impact: We are committed to a "Leave No Trace" policy and challenge our operations deploying industry leading sustainability practices in relation to waste and power management.

• Ecological Impact – We are currently working with our ecology consultants and officers at the Council to ensure there is no permanent negative impact on the ecology of the park and that the habitat will, as a result of enhancement projects on site be protected, improved and will meet Biodiversity Net Gain standards.

• Highways Impact – Our highways consultants are working with the Council officers to ensure that the events run smoothly and maintain clear and easy access for residents parking in your local area. 

How to Share Your Feedback

The events are welcomed by a large part of the community as demonstrated by the VPF Facebook page but positive comments / contributions are rarely submitted in consultations.

Your feedback is a vital part of the consultation, you can find out more at our public consultation exhibition and we welcome comments via the online feedback form below.

• Public Exhibition: Join us at The Ecology Pavilion, Mile End Park on Thursday 19th February at 2pm-8pm to view the site maps, view more detail on the proposals and speak directly with the planning and event team.

• Direct Contact: For general questions, you can reach our community liaison team at either of the following community inboxes:

Please submit your comments by 26th February 2026. Thank you for your interest.

We are proud of the relationship we have built with this community since 2018, and we look forward to continuing our work together to keep Victoria Park a vibrant, world-class destination.

Warm regards,

The AEG Presents Team 

Operators of All Points East & LIDO